City of Lynchburg rejects Second Amendment sanctuary status

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – After hours of hearing from the public, the City of Lynchburg rejects becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary.

City Council denied the motion 5-2.

Updated: 11:00 p.m.

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – The City of Lynchburg may become the latest locality to join the growing list of Second Amendment sanctuaries.

Lynchburg is holding a public hearing in the auditorium at E.C. Glass High School, where 120 residents have signed up to share their thoughts on whether to adopt a resolution similar to ones taken up by many Virginia cities, towns, and counties.

On Dec. 10, 2019, City Council members voted to hold a public hearing at their bimonthly meeting.

“Given new information that a parade/protest regarding Lynchburg becoming a Second Amendment Sanctuary City could attract 500 persons in the area around City Hall and after consulting with staff, I have determined it is in the best interest of public safety and public discourse to hold the January 14 City Council meeting in the E.C. Glass Auditorium. This is a shift in thinking due to the number of people expected to participate in the parade/protest.

Today’s public hearing comes just one day after the gun control debate took center stage in Richmond as lawmakers met Monday to talk about several gun measures.

At the same time, hundreds of people flooded capitol square to express their opinions.

The City of Lynchburg is one of the first jurisdictions to discuss becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary after those bills were passed.

Speakers who wish to address the Lynchburg City Council regarding the matter are asked to sign-up to speak before the beginning of the meeting. A sign-up sheet will be available by the entrance of the auditorium.

Officials are also working to broadcast the meeting live via the city’s Facebook page and Comcast Channel 15.

The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Attendees can enter E.C. Glass High School from the Langhorne Road side of the building. Doors will open at 6 p.m.